Immokalee group, Nonprofit Healthcare Network, losing funds

One group in Immokalee lost funding when the Collier County Commission voted to give back funds for Covid education.

For the time being, Nonprofit Healthcare Network is using some money taken from other parts of its budget. But the team in Immokalee told WINK News they will continue their important work no matter what.

Even without knowing Creole, you can hear the patience and kindness in Charlene Paillere’s voice. The Healthcare Network worker explains to an elderly patient how to use his new “remote patient monitoring equipment.”

The device is meant to monitor his blood pressure and glucose levels.

“I know my community, I know the people like who need my help and what kind of help they need. And it’s really nice to help a community of people who look like me and people who are similar to my parents,” Paillere said.

Sandra Agado, who translates for Spanish speakers, also feels that same connection to the community.

“They see us around they see you know some of the coworkers at Winn-Dixie shopping. It makes them more comfortable when they see that we are from here,” Agado said.

And they’re more likely to accept help. Things like what they handed out Wednesday, educational materials on Healthcare Network’s services, Covid tests, diapers, and more.

“I think it builds like, a sense of partnership…if you’re constantly seeing these people, you’re seeing the things that they need, the things that they go through, then you’re able to help them better,” Paillere said.

Jean Paul Roggiero, the team lead, said they intend to keep giving that help.

“We do the best that we can with whatever resources that we have readily available and we’ll continue to do that work in our community,” Roggiero said.

The Collier County Commissioners voted to return the Centers for Disease Control grant fearing the education of migrant workers included a demand to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

They have no plan yet to replace the funding.

The grant paid the salaries of six outreach team members but Healthcare Network is confident a donor will step up.